Well if it’s not a new haven it’s not a Winchester for me personally so I’d go with a mark V. Do I love the plastic followers in mine.. no. Do I love the action and the beauty of the Mark V deluxes’… hell yes. I have an affinity for Mark V’s and pre 64 70’s (and model 700 rems)
Which would you pick for a higher-end bolt rifle?
- Thread starter yidava25
- Start date
About as diverse as you can get in Alberta. I can hunt moose, elk, whitetails, muleys, bears, and bison (although that would be a trial and I have yet to attempt it) within an hour of home. Also have enough points now for an antelope tag. Primary focus would be moose in clearcuts and muskeg, and then elk in mixed farmland/bush if I don't get one during archery season. Then I usually spend a few days in a blind for whitetails on mostly open farmland where long shots can happen.
I'm not a sheep guy at this point.
Pointdexter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Lower Mainland
Have you taken a look at the bergara b14 crest lineup of rifles? One of those in 7prc would likely cover most of your game species you intend to hunt as well as shoot nice and flat.
Only thing I'd add is an adjustable cheek wallet/rest for perfect eye alignment.
Only thing I'd add is an adjustable cheek wallet/rest for perfect eye alignment.
My vote goes for semi custom. I would look for a Pre 64 Winchester Model 70 with metal and barrel that are in good condition. I’d prefer the featherweight. 30-06. I would replace the stock with a McMillan of your preferred ergonomics. EDGE construction. Upgrade the bottom metal if you wish. Have the factory trigger worked over etc. it will squeeze your budget maybe. But not by much. It may even come in under budget.
Never owned the Mk V but have shot a few and they were very nice.
My personal opinion is torn 50/50 on something like a Tikka Roughtech for $1500 and slowly adding to it, pretty much just a different stock. Or a Win 70 like you want. Just picked up an FN produced Sporter for pretty cheap, relatively. Or a Classic Sporter or pre 64 and adding the new stock and a bit of trigger work as Pathfinder mentioned.
They're both great. I really don't know which. maybe eventually both.
Accurate, robust, do anything rifle in either case.
Sake 85 Finn light in 7mm mag, had one and sold it, regretted it everyday, smoothest action , light and accurate, if you can find one in a caliber of your choice slightly used grab it, you won’t regret it. I have 6 or 7 weatherbys they are great but a tad heavy, and 26” barrels and no magazine,
That would also be my first choice. After maybe 100 rifles that is where I have pretty much ended up!
Bustercluck
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fort McMurray
What about a $1500 used gun with a nice stock and put a match grade barrel on it? Something you could put a nice trigger on next year… and a bipod mount on the forestock… micro brake hanging off the end…
My vote for a single rifle would likely go to a used kimber 84M or 84L classic, very nice and accurate lightweight rifles, all steel and wood too no plastic, about the only thing I find they are missing is metalic sights but that's just me. Another option is a sako 85, I've had a few in different action sizes and they have all been terrific, also all steel and wood which I like, great smooth actions and very accurate. The removable flush magazine is a bonus.
Both these options would also come in under your budget since they can mostly only be had used now
Both these options would also come in under your budget since they can mostly only be had used now
The more I ponder this, the more I keep coming back to two things:
What do I need out of a rifle?
What will make me keep a certain rifle?
Because I've realized over the years that I am always intrigued by new things that come up, by a faster cartridge, a lower-recoiling cartridge, shorter barrel and then longer barrel, beautiful wood stock followed by the newest in ergonomics, and so on it goes and I keep trading. If the money situation was different I'd keep everything and just add more.
If I was going for pure utility and practicality, I'd probably get a stainless Tikka in .308 and call it a day. But I wouldn't love that rifle right from the start, and I doubt I'd keep it long enough to bond with it over many seasons of successful hunts.
My absolute dream rifle as far as the looks and the story behind it would be a new Weatherby Mk V Deluxe in one of the middle-ground classic Weatherby cartridges. Strange as it sounds, I'd like to put wear and tear on a rifle like that so that years from now I could see the memories in it and how it had aged. But by the time I had an optic on it to properly complement the quality of the rifle, the cost would just be prohibitive.
And for $2500 I can get two or perhaps three rifles set up to do different hunts. A lighter 6.5x55 for more open country and a 9.3x62 with a red dot for bush hunting bigger animals (had that before and loved it).
There are way too many attractive options out there.
I appreciate everyone's responses.
What do I need out of a rifle?
What will make me keep a certain rifle?
Because I've realized over the years that I am always intrigued by new things that come up, by a faster cartridge, a lower-recoiling cartridge, shorter barrel and then longer barrel, beautiful wood stock followed by the newest in ergonomics, and so on it goes and I keep trading. If the money situation was different I'd keep everything and just add more.
If I was going for pure utility and practicality, I'd probably get a stainless Tikka in .308 and call it a day. But I wouldn't love that rifle right from the start, and I doubt I'd keep it long enough to bond with it over many seasons of successful hunts.
My absolute dream rifle as far as the looks and the story behind it would be a new Weatherby Mk V Deluxe in one of the middle-ground classic Weatherby cartridges. Strange as it sounds, I'd like to put wear and tear on a rifle like that so that years from now I could see the memories in it and how it had aged. But by the time I had an optic on it to properly complement the quality of the rifle, the cost would just be prohibitive.
And for $2500 I can get two or perhaps three rifles set up to do different hunts. A lighter 6.5x55 for more open country and a 9.3x62 with a red dot for bush hunting bigger animals (had that before and loved it).
There are way too many attractive options out there.
I appreciate everyone's responses.
milkbone96
Member
- Location
- Southern shores of Georgian Bay
Sako 90...many flavors to choose from. My personal faves:
The Bavarian with open sights is stunning
milkbone96
Member
- Location
- Southern shores of Georgian Bay
